Law No.

(13) of 2011
Regulating the Conduct of
Economic Activities in the Emirate of Dubai1
‫ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ‬

We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Federal Law No. (5) of 1975 Concerning the Commercial Register;
Federal Law No. (1) of 1979 Regulating Industrial Affairs;
Federal Law No. (4) of 1979 Concerning Suppression of Fraud and Deception in Commercial
Transactions;
Federal Law No. (18) of 1981 Regulating Commercial Agencies and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 Issuing the Civil Code and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Issuing the Penal Code and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (37) of 1992 Concerning Trademarks and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (10) of 1992 Issuing the Law of Evidence Governing Civil Obligations and
Commercial Transactions and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (35) of 1992 Issuing the Penal Procedure Code and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Concerning Commercial Transactions and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (7) of 2002 Concerning Copyright and Related Rights;
Federal Law No. (17) of 2002 Concerning Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property Rights
of Patents, Drawings, and Industrial Designs and its amendments;
Federal Law No. (1) of 2006 Concerning Electronic Transactions and e-Commerce;
Cabinet Resolution No. (6) of 2004 Authorising Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council States
to Conduct Economic Activities and Practice Professions in the UAE;
Law No. (1) of 2001 Establishing the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation and its
amendments;
Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;
Law No. (25) of 2008 Concerning the Department of Economic Development;

©2016 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

1 Everyeffort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the
purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict
the Arabic text will prevail.
Law No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate of Dubai

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Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai; and
Local Order No. (63) of 1991 Concerning Licensing Professionals and Artisans in the Emirate of
Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

Title of the Law

Article (1)

This Law will be cited as “Law No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities in
the Emirate of Dubai”.

Definitions
Article (2)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning
indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

UAE: The United Arab Emirates.

Emirate: The Emirate of Dubai.

Executive Council: The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.

DED: The Department of Economic Development.

Director General: The director general of the DED.

Economic Activity: Any commercial, industrial, artisan, occupational, agricultural,

service, or any other for-profit activity authorised in the Emirate
in accordance with the legislation in force.

Competent Entity: Any local or federal authority responsible for regulating one or
more Economic Activities pursuant to the legislation in force.

Business: Any company or sole proprietorship licensed to conduct an

Economic Activity in the Emirate, excluding businesses licensed in
free zones.

Establishment: A Business owned by a natural person for the purpose of

conducting an Economic Activity in the Emirate, whose legal
personality is not distinct from its owner and whose financial
liability is associated with such owner, being the person
responsible for all its financial obligations towards third parties.

Licence: A document authorising a Business to conduct an Economic

Activity.

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 Commercial A document issued by the DED authorising a Business to conduct
Authorisation: a Marketing Activity.

Marketing Activity: An activity conducted by a Business to market its products and

services through commercials, advertising boards, clearance
offers, sale, promotional campaigns, exhibitions, conferences, or
other marketing activities.

Occupational or Artisan An activity conducted by one or more natural persons who rely
Activity: on their physical or intellectual efforts or use certain tools and
equipment to perform such activity with a limited capital.

Business Incubators: A range of services and facilities, and technical, administrative,

and advisory support provided by a Competent Entity for a
specific period with a view to encouraging the establishment and
development of small and medium-size enterprises.

Objectives of the Law

Article (3)

This Law aims to:

1. regulate the conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate and create a pro-investment
environment in various economic areas in the Emirate;

2. create a “single window” for coordinating between Competent Entities to fulfil the
requirements for the licensing of Economic Activities in the Emirate;

3. create the optimum environment for the conduct of business in the Emirate, and boost the
economic growth of the Emirate;

4. develop the economic environment of the Emirate by relying upon accurate and transparent
information and providing such information through latest technology to enable various
Businesses to benefit from the same; and

5. contribute to marketing and promotional plans, raise economic and investment awareness,
and identify the investment opportunities available in the Emirate.

Functions of the DED

Article (4)

For the purpose of achieving the objectives of this Law, the DED will regulate the conduct of
Economic Activities in the Emirate, and may in particular:
1. establish the necessary rules to regulate granting the Licences required to conduct Economic
Activities in the Emirate, and determine the details and validity of these Licences and the

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 method to modify such details, in accordance with the legislation in force and in
coordination with the Competent Entities;

2. regulate the registration of Businesses in the Commercial Register;

3. register and maintain the trade names of Businesses;

4. in coordination with the Competent Entities, license Economic Activities in the Emirate in
accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and bylaws;

5. determine and classify the Economic Activities authorised in the Emirate in line with the
latest internationally recognised standards, and regularly develop and update the same in
accordance with the Economic Activity needs and economic development requirements of
the Emirate;

6. issue Commercial Authorisations to conduct Marketing Activities in accordance with the

conditions and rules adopted by the DED in this respect;

7. regulate and determine working hours for Businesses operating in the Emirate in accordance
with the rules adopted by the DED in this respect;

8. perform intellectual property audit and inspection, combat commercial fraud, and manage
commercial protection and consumer protection processes in the Emirate; and

9. perform audit and inspection of Businesses licensed to conduct Economic Activities in the
Emirate to verify compliance with the terms of their Licences.

Classification of Economic Activities

Article (5)

Licences to conduct Economic Activities in the fields of commerce, industry, agriculture, fishing,
mining, and services, or any other fields, will be granted in accordance with the relevant
Economic Activities classification directory of the Emirate of Dubai issued by the DED.

Issuing Licences
Article (6)

A natural or legal person may conduct an Economic Activity in the Emirate only through a
Business licensed by the DED. The DED will determine the conditions and requirements that
must be met and the documents and approvals that must be submitted in order to issue
Licences.

Procedures for Licensing Businesses

Article (7)

a. A Business will be licensed in the Emirate in accordance with the following procedures:

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 1. An application for a Licence will be submitted to the DED on the relevant form
prescribed by the DED.

2. The DED will, in coordination with the Competent Entities, consider the application to
verify that it complies with all provisions and conditions regulating the Economic Activity
applied for and the legal form of the Business to be licensed.

3. The DED will determine the application for Licence in accordance with the rules and
conditions adopted in this respect, the legislation in force in the Emirate, and the
exigencies of public interest.

b. The DED will issue the bylaws required to regulate the procedures for submitting and
determining Licence applications, including the documents to be submitted, the approvals
to be obtained from Competent Entities, and the time frames prescribed for determining
applications.

Term of Licence
Article (8)

a. The Licence of a Business will be valid for a period of one (1) year renewable for the same
period. At the request of the Business and subject to approval of the DED in coordination
with the Competent Entity, the validity of the Licence may be more than one (1) year, up to
four (4) years.

b. A Business must renew its Licence within the last month prior to its expiry.

Registration in the Commercial Register

Article (9)

Companies will be registered in the Commercial Register maintained by the DED for this
purpose, in accordance with the conditions and requirements adopted in this respect.

Modification of Licence Details

Article (10)

a. A Business owner may not change the legal form of a Business, modify the Licence details,
or dispose of the Licence in any legal manner without first obtaining the approval of the DED
and Competent Entities.

b. The DED will, in any of the following cases, publish any modifications related to the Licence
at the expense of the Business owner in at least one daily newspaper published in the
Emirate:

1. change of the legal form of the company;

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 2. withdrawal of a general partner from a General Partnership, Simple Limited Partnership,
or Business Partnership;

3. modification of the trade name of a Business;

4. revocation of the Licence of a Business; and

5. any other cases determined by the DED.

c. A third party who has an objection to any modification or change related to a Business must
file such objection with the competent court.

Representation of Universal Successors in a Business

Article (11)

Without prejudice to the conditions for conducting certain Economic Activities, if the ownership
of a Business is devolved by inheritance or legacy to several heirs or legatees, they must
nominate from amongst themselves one person to represent them in the Business, failing which
a representative will be appointed pursuant to a court order.

Review of Licences for Certain Activities

Article (12)

a. In accordance with the exigencies of public interest and in coordination with the Competent
Entities, the DED may, pursuant to a reasoned decision, suspend the Licence of certain
commercial, industrial, agricultural, service, or any other activities for a specific period, or
modify the terms and restrictions imposed on such Licences.

b. Upon approval or request of the Competent Entity, the DED may suspend or alter the terms
of the Licences it issues for Occupational or Artisan Activities.

Cessation of the Economic Activities of Businesses

Article (13)

a. A Business owner may request the DED to suspend the Licence granted to his Business for a
specific period due to cessation of its activities, and such application will be determined in
accordance with the relevant rules and conditions adopted by the DED.

b. A Business will not be subject to the licensing fees or the fines resulting from non-renewal
of its Licence where the Licence expires and the Business ceases to conduct Economic
Activities, or where the Business submits an application for cessation of its activities in
accordance with paragraph (a) of this Article.

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 Legal Form of Businesses
Article (14)

Economic Activities in the Emirate must be conducted through a Business having one of the
following legal forms:
a. sole proprietorship;

b. civil works company;

c. commercial company; or

d. branch of a national or foreign company or of a company operating in a free zone.

Conduct of Occupational and Artisan Activities

Article (15)

a. UAE natural persons and other natural persons may enter into partnerships to personally
conduct Occupational or Artisan Activities in the Emirate by establishing a partnership
(“Business Partnership”) in accordance with the provisions of the legislation and bylaws
issued by the DED in this respect. A legal person may become a shareholder in a Business
Partnership provided that the nature of his activity is similar to the nature of the activity
conducted by such Business Partnership.

b. Non-UAE nationals will be authorised to conduct Occupational or Artisan Activities provided

that they have an agent (“Local Service Agent”) who may be a natural person holding the
UAE nationality or a legal person whose partners are all holders of the UAE nationality.

Responsibility of Local Service Agents

Article (16)

A Local Service Agent will be responsible to the Business and to third parties for exercising due
diligence to enable the Business to conduct its Occupational and Artisan Activities in the Emirate,
and will bear no civil or financial liabilities in relation to the work or activity of the Business. The
relationship between the Business and the Local Service Agent must be governed by a notarised
agency agreement based on the template prescribed by the DED.

Premises for Conducting Economic Activities

Article (17)

An applicant for a Licence must specify the premises in the Emirate through which its Economic
Activities will be conducted. The premises must be suitable for the activities to be licensed, and
must satisfy the procedures and requirements adopted by the DED and Competent Entities in
this respect. The premises may not be used for purposes other than those determined in the
Licence issued by the DED.

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 Exemption from Compliance with the Premises Requirement
Article (18)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article (17) of this Law, the DED may issue Licences
authorising UAE nationals to conduct certain Economic Activities determined by the DED from
home or through Business Incubators in accordance with the rules and conditions adopted by
the DED in this respect.

Obligations of Businesses
Article (19)

A Business must:
1. comply with the legislation and laws in force in the Emirate;

2. observe the conditions and rules for conducting its licensed Economic Activities;

3. notify the DED of any change in the information and documents based on which the Licence
has been granted, within ten (10) working days from the date of such change, and ensure
that the change is in accordance with the legislation in force in the UAE;

4. use the trade name specified in the Licence granted to it in all dealings with third parties;

5. enable the DED authorised employees to access the premises of the Business and review its
information and records as required to perform their duties;

6. provide the DED with any information, data, or statistics it may require; and

7. comply with the instructions, bylaws, and resolutions issued by the DED and Competent
Entities.

Licensing Service Centres

Article (20)

The DED will, in coordination with the Competent Entities, create a “single-window” for Business
licensing services to receive applications for Business Licences and deal with investors,
professionals, and artisans.

Obligations of Competent Entities

Article (21)

Competent Entities must provide the DED with the requirements and conditions governing the
conduct of Economic Activities falling within their jurisdiction, and must notify the DED of any
modification of such requirements and conditions.

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 Using Licensing Systems within Free Zones
Article (22)

At the request of a free zone authority, the DED may authorise it to use the Business licensing
software and Electronic systems to enable such authority to license Businesses operating in that
free zone in accordance with its applicable legislation and procedures.

Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate by

Businesses Licensed in Free Zones
Article (23)

a. The DED may, in coordination with a free zone authority, authorise a Business licensed in a
free zone to conduct its activities in the Emirate in accordance with the relevant rules and
conditions issued upon the recommendation of the DED by the Executive Council, provided
that such Business complies with the laws and legislation in force in the Emirate.

b. A Business licensed in a free zone may open branches within the Emirate in accordance with
the procedures adopted by the DED in this respect.

Delegation of Powers
Article (24)

The DED may delegate any of the powers stipulated in this Law and related to the licensing of
Businesses to any public or private entity in order to facilitate and expedite the licensing process.

Issuing Commercial Authorisations

Article (25)

No Business may conduct any Marketing Activity of its products or services without first
obtaining the relevant Commercial Authorisation from the DED.

Procedures for Granting Commercial Authorisations

Article (26)

a. A Commercial Authorisation to conduct Marketing Activities in the Emirate will be granted

to a Business in accordance with the following procedures:

1. An application for a Commercial Authorisation will be submitted on the relevant form

prescribed by the DED.

2. The DED will, in coordination with Competent Entities, review the application to verify
that it complies with all provisions and conditions regulating the relevant Marketing
Activity.

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 3. The Commercial Authorisation application will be determined by the DED in accordance
with the rules and conditions adopted in this respect, the legislation in force in the
Emirate, and the exigencies of public interest.

b. The validity of a Commercial Authorisation granted to a Business to conduct Marketing

Activities will be determined in accordance with the rules adopted by the DED in this
respect.

c. The DED will issue the bylaws required to regulate the procedures for submitting and
determining applications for Commercial Authorisations, including the documents to be
submitted, approvals to be obtained, and time frames prescribed for determining
applications.

Probative Force of Electronic Extracts

Article (27)

Unless otherwise established, all Electronic Documents and Records generated by the software
and Electronic systems of the DED will have the same probative force as official documents.

Fees
Article (28)

In return for issuing Licences and authorisations and providing other services under this Law and
the resolutions and bylaws issued in pursuance hereof, the DED will collect prescribed fees
pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council.

Penalties
Article (29)

a. Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in any other law, a person who commits
a violation of this Law or the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof will be punished by a
fine of no less than one hundred Dirhams (AED 100.00) and no more than one hundred
thousand Dirhams (AED 100,000.00).

b. The Chairman of the Executive Council will issue a resolution determining the acts that
constitute violations of this Law and the relevant fines prescribed for each violation.

Closure of Businesses
Article (30)

a. In addition to the penalty of a fine stipulated in Article (29) of this Law, the DED may order
closure of a Business or revocation of its Licence in the following cases:

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 1. failure to renew the Licence and cessation of the activity, where a public notice is
published in a daily widely circulated local newspaper, and no objections are raised
within two (2) weeks from the date of publication; or

2. where the Business commits a violation of this Law or the legislation in force in the
Emirate which is punishable by closure of the Business or revocation of the Licence, or
in case the Licence is issued based on false information or documents.

b. Revocation of the Licence under paragraph (a) of this Article will not prejudice the rights and
obligations of a Business or its owner towards third parties.

Amicable Settlement
Article (31)

a. At the request of a violating entity, the DED may conclude amicable settlement with that
entity subject to the following conditions:

1. submission of an application for settlement within two (2) months from the date of
committing the violation;

2. payment of no less than fifty percent (50%) of the fine prescribed for the violation;

3. no similar violations are committed by a violating Business within one (1) year preceding
the commission of the violation in respect of which amicable settlement is requested;

4. any other conditions determined by the DED.

b. A Business must implement the conditions of the amicable settlement within the period
prescribed by the DED, failing which the settlement will be deemed null and void.

Law Enforcement
Article (32)

DED employees nominated pursuant to a resolution of the Director General will have the
capacity of law enforcement officers to record the acts committed in breach of the provisions of
this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof. For this purpose, they may issue the
relevant violation reports and seek, in the course of performing their duties, the assistance of
concerned Government entities including police personnel.

Grievances against the Decisions of the DED

Article (33)

Any affected party may submit a written grievance to the Director General against the decisions
and measures taken against him within thirty (30) days from the date on which he becomes
aware of this decision or measure.

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 Grievances Committee
Article (34)

Pursuant to a resolution of the Director General, a committee will be formed to consider the
grievances submitted in accordance with Article (33) of this Law. The committee must determine
the grievance within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days from the date of its referral to it,
and its decision in this respect will be final.

Compliance
Article (35)

a. Businesses licensed before the issuance of this Law must comply with its provisions within a
period not exceeding one (1) year from its effective date. The Director General may extend
this grace period once for the same period.

b. Businesses licensed pursuant to orders and instructions of His Highness the Ruler will be
exempt from compliance with the provisions of this Law, and will be governed by the
relevant rules issued by the DED.

Repeals
Article (36)

Any provision in any other local legislation will be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the
provisions of this Law.

Publication and Commencement

Article (37)

This Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it
is published.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai
Issued in Dubai on 24 August 2011

Corresponding to 24 Ramadan 1432 A.H.

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